Camera Strap, Guatemala

For Josefa, who is now 58 years old, the storm added to an almighty amount of suffering. Her husband had been killed years before by the army during the country’s civil war. The storm took away her home. But refusing to succumb to the psychological and physical pain she had endured, she took on a new project along with the village women.

During the early morning hours of October 5, 2005, Hurricane Stan weighed down on Panabaj, a small village in Guatemala’s west.

The storm hit other areas of Central America, but the devastation was felt most among this small community. Its impact was so complete that more than 1,000 people were killed and entire homes were washed away.

For Josefa, who is now 58 years old, the storm added to an almighty amount of suffering. Her husband had been killed years before by the army during the country’s civil war. The storm took away her home.

But refusing to succumb to the psychological and physical pain she had endured, she took on a new project along with the village women.

Using wooden machines, they used their weaving skills to transform thread and string into the most beautiful, colourful textiles, which have now gained an international reputation.

One of the pieces they make is an item essential for storytelling from east to west: a camera strap. It is an icon of Guatemala’s handmade industry, and is here as a gift for you from the Al Jazeera Media Network, in collaboration with Qatar Charity.